Ricky Pearsall scores first career touchdown 3 games back from gunshot wound

The 49ers rookie receiver continued his hot start since returning from his gunshot wound.

The San Francisco 49ers welcomed back running back Christian McCaffrey, but the big news in the first quarter was rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall scoring his first career touchdown. Pearsall caught a pass over the middle and turned it into a 46-yard score, outrunning several Buccaneers defenders.

This is Pearsall’s third game back since recovering from a late August gunshot wound. He was shot in downtown San Francisco and placed on the NFI list to open the season. The gunshot did not hit any vital organs, entering his chest and exiting cleanly. The nature of the wound helped, but it was still rather amazing to see him back on the field in October.

The 49ers are shorthanded at wide receiver with Brandon Aiyuk out for the season with a knee injury. Deebo Samuel has been banged up off and on this season and Jauan Jennings has just worked his way back from injury. Pearsall entered this game on a roll as he has seen growing playing time. He had three receptions for 21 yards in Week 7 and then four receptions for 38 yards and a 39-yard run in Week 8.